Stanly-Spaight Duel highlights Labor Day weekend activities

Annual gunfire and drum rolls will be heard from Tryon Palace’s South Lawn during a live reenactment of the Stanly-Spaight Duel on Saturday.

Charlie Hall, Sun Journal Staff

Annual gunfire and drum rolls will be heard from Tryon Palace’s South Lawn during a live reenactment of the Stanly-Spaight Duel on Saturday.

This famous duel was Sept. 5, 1802, when prominent New Bern lawyer John Stanly Jr. met his political rival, Richard Dobbs Spaight. It turned into a lethal duel on the streets of New Bern. Spaight, who had served as North Carolina’s first native-born governor, was mortally wounded after four rounds, and Stanly was forced to flee the city. Stanly was eventually able to return to New Bern when his friend Judge William Gaston convinced the governor to grant North Carolina’s first gubernatorial pardon to Stanly.

“This is one of New Bern’s most famous stories, but you really have to see it to get the full experience of what that day must have been like,” said Matt Arthur, Living History Program coordinator for Tryon Palace. “Unlike large battle reenactments, this one is between two people, so it’s much more intimate and personal. Once you see those dueling pistols take aim and then hear the crack of each shot, you are immediately connected to the people and emotions behind this story.”

It begins at 4 p.m. and visitors can watch an afternoon of dueling and a performance by the Tryon Palace Fife and Drum Corps. In the event of rain, performances will be moved into the North Carolina History Center’s Cullman Performance Hall.

Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for students, and includes admission to the Tryon Palace gardens. A One Day Pass to Tryon Palace includes the duel at no additional cost, as well as admission to the Stanly House and the Regional History Museum, which includes an exhibit of dueling pistols from the early 1800s and a portrait of Gaston, the man who helped Stanly get his pardon.

For more information, call 252-639-3500 or on the web: tryonpalace.org.

Here is a sampling of the week’s other top events:

The New Bern-Craven County Public Library presents “Let’s Talk About It...Picturing America: Land of Opportunity” today at 7 p.m.

This opening session of the series begins with a discussion of the novel “Ragtime.” Published in 1975, it is an extraordinary tapestry that captures the spirit of America in the era between the turn of the century and the First World War.

The discussion will be led by visiting scholar Nan Miller, who is retired from Meredith College. The series is sponsored by the Friends of the New Bern Library and is made possible through funding from the N.C. Humanities Council. Advanced registration is required. Copies of the book are available at the Library Circulation Desk.

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The New Bern chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America will meet on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at 1325 McCarthy Blvd. in the Common Room at McCarthy Court Apartments.

This is a support group for people with all degrees of hearing loss, meeting the fourth Tuesday of every month. The chapter’s purpose is to open the world of communication for people with hearing loss through information, education, advocacy and support.

Tuesday’s guest speaker will be Tony Monaco, who will discuss tinnitus. Tinnitus is described as a ringing, whistling, roaring or buzzing sound in the ears. The meetings are open to all. For information, call 635-2189.

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The Pamlico County Library hosts basketweaving for adults to learn patterns and techniques. It is Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the Hollowell Auditorium at the Bayboro library.

On Friday at 10 a.m., it is Preschool Story Time, with puppets, crafts and interactive games.

Also on Friday, at 6:15 p.m., the Book to Film Series continues, with popcorn, refreshments and a movie to be announced.

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New York choreographer, dancer and instructor Wendy Osserman will be featured at six workshops on Tuesday evenings, beginning this week through Oct. 8. The sessions are at 6:30 p.m. at Pamlico Community College. It includes children’s stories, monologues and speeches. It is designed to develop and strengthen skills for use in the classroom teaching, interviewing for jobs, performing and other public functions.

The local chapter of “Mended Hearts,” a national organization of open-heart surgery survivors, has an open meeting Thursday at CarolinaEast Medical Center.

The 8 a.m. meeting is in Classroom No. 1. Healthy refreshments will be served.

The speaker is Dr. Alex Kirby from the Heart Center, who will talk about updates on the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation.

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On Thursday, the New Bern-Craven County Public Library hosts a noon “Lunch ‘n Learn — Skills that Help You Flourish.” Join Heather Brewer, LCSW, to learn about positive psychology and the skills that can improve mood and overall well-being. Bring a brown bag lunch. Desserts and beverages will be served.

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The Pamlico County Democratic Party meets Thursday at the Pamlico County Courthouse Annex.

The 6:30 p.m. meeting is open to the public.

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Ratio Theatre Company opens its new season Friday with the first of six performances of “Red,” a story about art and the famous abstract expressionist Mark Rothko.

Shows are at Cullman Performance Hall in the N.C. History Center as part of the Tryon Palace Performing Arts Series.

Shows are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. The following week, 8 p.m. performances are on Sept. 5 and 6, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Sept. 7.

Tickets are $25, with students admitted for $10. Tickets are available at the Ratio box office, 901 Pollock St., or on the web: ratiotheatre. Also, call 626-0358.

It is a two-man play, with Joey Infinito as the artist and newcomer Alex Bryant as Rothko’s assistant.

The show is directed by Michael McGinn. Michelle Wood is the production and stage manager, with lighting and set design by Infinito.

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A Community Fun Day is set for Saturday at Community Baptist Church on U.S. 70 in Newport.

It is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and admission is free. The offerings include a petting zoo and pony rides, watermelon seed spitting, inflatables, popcorn and cotton candy, back hoe competition and Coastal Kona Ice.

Charlie Hall can be reached at 252-635-5667 or Charlie.hall@newbernsj.com

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